Crate & Barrel recently opened its Manille branch at the third level of SM Aura Premier. Bonnie Santos and US Embassy Commercial Counselor   James McCarthy did the ribbon-snipping ceremony with SM Supermalls senior vice president for operations Steven Tan and Crate & Barrel business unit head Jo Co Siy.

The Manila opening featured the inaugural of the brand’s new spring collection, which featured a gorgeous mix of colors, patterns, shapes and textures inspired by nature.

“We’re excited to share our 2015 Spring assortment with customers,” said Raymond Arenson, Crate & Barrel’s executive vice president of merchandising and design. “This collection brings together all that we believe in: clean, classic designs that are both inspiring and approachable—meant to be enjoyed every day.”   

Accessories such as the Oceano Throw, Driftwood Garland and Regatta Vase hint of serene shores and make any room a retreat, while the dreamy Torben bedding in gray and yellow and the Hampton Stripe Seafoam shower curtain and towels provide crisp updates for bed and bath.

New offerings include the dramatic Lake dinnerware in deepest blue and the sunny Serrano glassware collection in shades of yellow and orange.

Murphy, Azulejo and Molly pillows, which make a nod to springtime blooms, were a huge hit with the buyers, dahlings.

Crate & Barrel is also at the fourth level of Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall.

Ladies’ night

The word “sale” makes most women’s—and men’s—hearts beat faster. This was proven when SM Makati held SM Ladies’ Night, which was mobbed by women—and men!

The sale opened in grand style when the Fashion Army, consisting of a dozen gorgeous models, marched into the grand lobby of SM Makati for a flash fashion show. Wow!

Styled in chic outfits from SM Woman and GTW Fab by SM, they carried hot-pink paper bags announcing “Ladies’ Night” and the sale duration, 6-9 p.m., which totally created a pandemonium. Poor sales girls!

The flash sale was made exciting by the grand entrance of a flash mob. The dancers, headed by Lala Dinglasan, created a Pied Piper effect and led the crowd up to the shopping floor. TV personality Lexi Schulze hosted the launch.

Ladies were seen pushing multiple shopping carts and quickly snapping up deals from SM Woman, GTW Fab by SM, Gigi Amore, Coco Cabana and other participating brands. Aside from the shopping, they enjoyed delicious canapés with refreshing pink cocktails, natch. For a little cheeky fun, hot, gorgeous male models accompanied the women as they fought over the wide range of stylish items on sale.

Some of the beautiful guests rushing around for great bags were model Misa Campo, designers Amina Aranaz Alunan and Nicole Whisenhunt, Aisa Ipac and Yuki Tansengco, headturner Kitty Santiago Jacinto, and restaurateur Malu Gamboa.

Word about SM Woman’s shopping party spread through social media. In the following days, bloggers and happy shoppers proudly shared their “OOTDs” with their new purchases from #smladiesnight. 

Take note, dahlings, Ladies’ Night in SM Makati was only the first. Follow @smwoman and @gtwbysm on Instagram to find out when and where the next shopping happening will be.

Ladies of Zonta Club

Zonta Club Makati Ayala (ZCMA) has been a member of Zonta International for the past 25 years, palangga, and its services and advocacy are empowering and advancing the status of women.

It recently held its general membership meeting that saw the installation of new members and board of directors headed by president Yvette Cruz-Carrion at the posh Balesin function room of Alphaland City Club on Buendia Avenue, Makati.

The meeting was attended by past presidents and officers such as Nini Licaros, Lorna Kapunan, Maridel Villavicencio,  Betsy Tenchavez, Rennie Andrews and Marily Ysip; former members of ZCMA; Philippine Red Cross Olongapo Chapter chair Kate Gordon, the lady who went out of her super hectic schedule to find a donor of my rare blood. I love her.

Thanks to our pal dahlings, banker Andrew Gan, Kate, energetic cause-oriented Chacha Camacho and Nini Layug, and forever-gorgeous Yoli Ayson, with newest member, the marketing director of Greenstar Logistics Inc., Cynthia Stehmeier.